Exploring Manila's Airports: Walking Distance Or Not?

can we walk from manila international airport to domistic airport

Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila International Airport (MIA), is the main international airport in the Philippines, serving Metro Manila and nearby provinces. The Manila Domestic Airport is located approximately 3 km from NAIA. While it is possible to walk between the two airports, it is not recommended due to permanent traffic congestion. A more convenient option would be to take a taxi, a private transfer, or the UBE Express bus, which offers a faster and easier way to get from the airport to the city.

Characteristics Values
Distance between Manila International Airport and Manila Domestic Airport 3 km
Transport options to get from Manila International Airport to the city Taxi, private transfer, or bus
Cost of a taxi from Manila International Airport to the city Affordable
Advantages of pre-booking a taxi Saves time, ensures a fixed fare, and provides an English-speaking driver
Bus options to get from Manila International Airport to the city UBE Express
Cost of a UBE Express ticket €2.50 (PHP 150) per passenger
Bus route From Terminal 3's Arrival area to Robinsons Place Manila
Advantages of UBE Express Convenient choice regarding cost and travel duration
Disadvantages of UBE Express Limited departures, resulting in long waiting times and large crowds
Shuttle services between Manila International Airport and Manila Domestic Airport Free shuttle bus available, but departure times are irregular due to traffic congestion
Time taken to travel between the airports Up to one hour from International Terminal 1 or 2 to Manila Domestic Terminal; minimum of 30 minutes from Terminal 3 to Manila Domestic Terminal
Walking option between terminals 15-minute walk between Terminal 1 and 2 via the International Cargo Terminal

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The Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport is the same as the Manila Domestic Airport

The Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as NAIA, is the same as the Manila Domestic Airport. The airport is the closest international airport to the city of Manila, situated about 15 kilometres from the main town (Metro Manila). It was inaugurated in 1937 as the city's first commercial airport. The airport has four terminals, with Terminal 1 (the Ninoy Aquino Terminal) serving international flights, and Terminal 4 (the Manila Domestic Passenger Terminal) serving domestic flights. Terminal 2 facilitates both domestic and international flights, while Terminal 3 is the largest and newest terminal, serving international flights.

The Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport is named after Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino, Junior, an opposition politician who was assassinated at the airport upon his arrival from exile in 1983. The airport is located about 7 kilometres from the main tourist area of Ermita/Malate and the business district of Makati. It is also about 3 kilometres away from the Centennial Airport, which is located between NAIA and the Domestic Airport.

Due to permanent traffic congestion in the area, travel time rather than distance is used to describe the journey between the terminals. It can take up to one hour to travel from Terminals 1 or 2 to the Manila Domestic Terminal, and a minimum of half an hour from Terminal 3. There is a free shuttle bus service between the terminals, but departures are irregular due to traffic congestion.

The Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport offers various transportation options for travellers, including local and city buses, taxis, the Light Rail Transport System (LRT), a shuttle service called UBE Express, and car rentals. The airport is served by multiple bus and jeepney routes, providing connections to different parts of the city.

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NAIA Terminal 2 is a domestic-only terminal

The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), also known as Manila International Airport (MIA), is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is located between the cities of Pasay and Parañaque, about 7 kilometres (4.3 miles) south of Manila. The Manila Domestic Airport is about 3 kilometres away from NAIA.

Terminal 2 can accommodate 2.5 million passengers per year in its north wing and five million in its south wing, for a total of 7.5 million passengers per year. After its conversion to a domestic-only terminal in 2023, its capacity was increased to ten million. The terminal exclusively serves Philippine Airlines (PAL) flights, both domestic and international.

NAIA is currently undergoing privatisation, with the national government expected to earn ₱900 billion, or ₱36 billion annually. As part of this process, the Manila International Airport Authority turned over the operations and maintenance of the airport to the New NAIA Infrastructure Corporation (NNIC) in September 2024. NNIC is also developing a new 2,500-slot parking space near Terminal 3.

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There is a free shuttle bus between the terminals

The Manila Ninoy Aquino International Airport, also known as NAIA, is the main international airport in the Philippines. It is located in the southern part of Metro Manila, around 13km from the city centre. The airport has four terminals, with Terminal 2 serving as a domestic-only terminal. The Manila Domestic Airport is approximately 3km away from NAIA.

Due to permanent traffic congestion, travelling between the terminals can take a significant amount of time. The time taken to travel between the international and domestic terminals can be up to one hour. As a result, there is a free shuttle bus service available between the terminals. This shuttle can help passengers transfer between terminals and manage their connecting flights.

The shuttle service is particularly useful given the irregular departure times between terminals due to traffic congestion. The minimum connecting time from an international flight to a domestic flight is three hours, so passengers with a shorter layover time may prefer to walk between Terminals 1 and 2 via the International Cargo Terminal, which takes around 15 minutes.

Passengers can also choose to take a taxi or private transfer between the terminals and the city. While this option offers direct transportation, there may be long queues during peak hours, and the different types of taxi services can be confusing regarding fares. Pre-booking a transfer can help save time and secure a fixed fare.

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The minimum travel time between the international and domestic terminals is 30 minutes

The Manila International Airport, also known as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), is the main international airport serving Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is located around 13 km south of Metro Manila. The Manila Domestic Airport is located around 3 km away from NAIA.

While it is possible to walk between the two airports, the minimum travel time between the international and domestic terminals is 30 minutes. This is due to the permanent traffic congestion in the area. There is also no direct walkway between the terminals. As such, it is recommended to use the free shuttle bus provided between the terminals. However, due to the irregular departure times caused by traffic congestion, the travel time between the two airports can take up to one hour.

If you are transferring between international and domestic flights, it is important to note the minimum connecting time requirements. For instance, the minimum connecting time from a domestic flight to an international flight is four hours, or three hours in the case of PAL. Meanwhile, the minimum connecting time from an international flight to a domestic flight is three hours.

When travelling to and from the Manila airports, there are several transportation options available, including taxis, private transfers, and buses. Taking a taxi is a convenient choice for direct transportation to your accommodation, but there may be long queues during peak hours. Pre-booking your ride can help save time and ensure a fixed fare. Alternatively, the UBE Express bus is a convenient and cost-effective choice, but it only offers a few departures per day, which can result in long waiting times and large crowds.

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To get to Manila city centre, you can take a taxi, private transfer, or bus

To get from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to Manila city centre, you have three main transportation options: a taxi, a private transfer, or the bus.

Taxi

A taxi from Manila Airport to the city centre is a convenient option to reach your accommodation directly. There are three types of taxi service to choose from: regular white taxis, yellow airport taxis, and coupon taxis. The cheapest option is the regular white taxi, which is metered and costs around €5 (PHP 300) for up to 4 passengers. Yellow airport taxis are also metered but are more expensive, costing around €7 (PHP 400). Coupon taxis offer fixed fares depending on the destination and are the most expensive option, with an average fare of around €8 (PHP 500) for up to 4 passengers. Manila Airport has four terminals, all with dedicated taxi ranks for each type of service. During peak hours, there may be long queues at the taxi rank, so pre-booking your ride can help you save time and secure a fixed fare.

Private Transfer

For a seamless travel experience, you can pre-book a Manila Airport transfer with a company like Welcome Pickups. This option secures an English-speaking driver and a personalised door-to-door service.

Bus

Taking the bus is a convenient choice for travellers on a budget. The UBE Express is a point-to-point service that connects NAIA to several areas around Manila, including Victory Liner Pasay, One Ayala Makati, and Araneta City Cubao. A single ticket from Manila Airport to Robinsons Place Manila costs €2.50 (PHP 150) per passenger. The most convenient route is from NAIA to Robinsons Place Manila, dropping you off south of Rizal Park. From there, you can continue on foot or take LRT Line 1. You can purchase your ticket at the airport or via the UBE Express website, but note that departure times may be affected by weather conditions and other factors.

Additionally, there is a free shuttle bus operating each hour, but it can get very crowded, and there is no set departure time. Tickets for this shuttle start at PHP 150 ($2.70).

Frequently asked questions

Yes, you can walk between the terminals at Manila International Airport, also known as Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA). There is a 15-minute walk between Terminals 1 and 2 via the International Cargo Terminal. Terminal 3 is about 0.7 km from the Manila Domestic Terminal. However, it is recommended to use the free shuttle bus between the terminals due to permanent traffic congestion.

The Manila Domestic Airport is approximately 3 km away from Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).

You have three main transportation options to get from Ninoy Aquino International Airport to the city: a taxi, a private transfer, or the bus. Taking a taxi is a convenient choice for direct transportation to your accommodation, but there may be long queues during peak hours. Pre-booking your ride can help you save time and secure a fixed fare. The bus is a cheaper alternative, with the UBE Express providing a fast and easy connection to the city.

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